PLANE CRASH IN EVERGLADES

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28481, 10 January 1958, Page 12

PLANE CRASH IN EVERGLADES

Turned Away From Two Airports

(N *Z. Press Association—Copyright • MIAMI, January 7.

An Air Force Stratotanker made a forced landing in the Everglades, 20 miles west of Miami, today, after being directed away from two airfields. One airman, the father of three children, was killed.

The man killed Was Staff Sergeant Kenneth McKillop, aged 45.

The commander of the aircraft. Major Donald Lettow, suffered minor injuries and was admitted to hospital. Four other crew members parachuted safely. Major Karl Edmondson, director of safety at the Homestead Air Force Base, where the plane was based, said the tanker left there last evening and, attempted to return early this morning. It was prevented from landing at Homestead because another plane had blown a tyre and the runway could not be cleared. Major Lettow circled the field for several hours in a rain and wind storm and then was directed to Miami International Airport after he radioed that he was running out of fuel. The plane was waved off at Miami because another aircraft had missed a landing and was trying a new approach. Major Lettow then headed for the desolate Everglade to prevent a crash in a populated area. He radioed that he was going down and had ordered his crew to jump. Major Edmondson said it was not known why Sergeant McKillop failed to bale out